Which factor is included in the definition of an ecosystem?

The definition of an ecosystem encompasses both biotic and abiotic components, which highlights the interaction and interdependence of living organisms with their physical environment. Biotic components include all the living organisms, such as plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi, that interact and contribute to the ecosystem’s structure and function. Abiotic components involve non-living elements such as sunlight, temperature, water, soil, and nutrients that influence the living organisms in that environment.

This comprehensive perspective is crucial because the health and sustainability of ecosystems depend on the complex relationships and interactions between these two types of components. For instance, plants (biotic) depend on sunlight and soil nutrients (abiotic) for growth, while animals (biotic) require plants for food. Therefore, understanding an ecosystem requires acknowledging both types of factors and their roles in sustaining life and ecological processes.